GS Warriors ‘leaning toward keeping’ Stephen Jackson

Warriors sources said Wednesday morning that the team is “leaning toward keeping” Stephen Jackson – the much-maligned swingman who was acquired in the Monta Ellis-Andrew Bogut deal the night before.

The Warriors are listening to offers for Jackson, who is owed a little more than $10 million next season and has been vocal about his desire for a contract extension. But the talks haven’t netted anything of substance, and it might not even be possible to move Jackson.

The Warriors and Bucks still need to bring players in for physicals in order to finalize the deal, which sent Ellis, Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown to Milwaukee and Bogut and Jackson to Golden State. The Warriors can’t move Jackson until 48 hours after the original trade is consummated, and the league’s trade deadline is Thursday.

The Warriors could consider a buyout of Jackson, instead of bringing back the heartbeat of the 2007 “We Believe” playoff run whose first stint here ended so badly. He demanded a trade in the summer of 2009 and was shipped to Charlotte that November, when he publicly questioned the coaching staff after a loss in Milwaukee.

Buying out Jackson, however, would leave the Warriors with 10 active players since Bogut says he’ll miss the rest of the regular season with a broken ankle and Stephen Curry isn’t returning any time soon with his own ankle troubles. Plus, Mark Jackson indicated that he’d like the opportunity to coach the multi-skilled Stephen Jackson.

“People questioned Monta Ellis and his character, too,” Mark Jackson said. “He was an absolute pro, as good a pro as I’ve seen. I have no problems coaching anybody.”